Water coming through pipes or from a well contains a variety of biological and chemical impurities, as well as mechanical impurities, which can be dangerous both to human health and to complex household appliances and expensive plumbing fixtures.
A main coarse water filter will help remove large impurities .
It is installed directly at the entrance to the house. Also, such devices are also called prefilters. They retain grains of sand, silt and other contaminants and prepare the water for further purification with other filters.
Those who purchased expensive household appliances were probably warned that the manufacturer's warranty will only be valid if there is a filter at the inlet, that is, pre-cleaning is a prerequisite. Plumbing reacts to the quality of water, stains and deposits may appear, connections begin to leak, and the gasket needs to be replaced more quickly.
Even water meters may not be able to withstand dirty water and fail.
If there is a fine filter in the house, then the pre-filter will make its work easier, and cartridges will need to be replaced less often.
About the types of cartridges for cleaning filters
Each type of cartridge performs different functions.
Models can be double, some are capable of performing several functions at once. Most often, activated carbon and ion exchange resin are used as fillers. Coal plays the role of an absorbent; it absorbs impurities with harmful substances. The ion exchange resin works in such a way that substances with harmful properties are replaced within the system with harmless ones.
Moreover, all the materials described are bulk. If the cartridge is of high quality, then it is equipped with gaskets that protect the mass from contamination, and diffusers that organize uniform distribution.
Products are produced in reel and bulk varieties. They are made from argon, non-woven polypropylene. The latest type of material is capable of filtering compounds of both organic and inorganic types. With such fillers inside, the cartridges are installed inside a transparent flask, which makes it easier to constantly monitor the level of contamination.
The following 4 types of cartridges are available:
- Adsorption.
- Ion exchange.
- Membrane.
- Osmotic.
Adviсe
If, when installing the filter element, its side branch “looks” upward, then the product will be able to perform its function for a very limited amount of time. In this case, the filter will very quickly become clogged with deposits, making it impossible to perform high-quality cleaning.
If necessary, the filter element can be placed in a vertical position . With this arrangement, the tap is located above the cleaning product, and the sump must be directed downward.
Installing a filter element without taking into account the direction of the liquid will also lead to unsatisfactory results.
Important. To ensure high efficiency of use of the product, installation work should be carried out taking into account the arrows located on the body of the product.
Installation of a coarse water filter
The water supplied through pipes to the consumer always contains a certain amount of sand, insoluble impurities and suspended matter. Scale and limescale from pipes are added to them. Sometimes you come across winding material. If all this goes directly through the counter. faucet or a device for heating water gets into the toilet cistern, then they will all quickly break, and the faucet mesh will become clogged, and the water simply will not flow out. To avoid this, a coarse water filter is installed at the water supply to the house or apartment.
Types and principle of operation
In practice, the following coarse filters are used:
- Mesh filters. They are straight and oblique, as well as non-flushing and self-cleaning. Non-rinsing coarse mesh filters include all structures that have sedimentation tanks (sludge tanks), which can be located at an angle to the filter housing (oblique) and under it (straight). To cleanse accumulated dirt, these filters must be removed and washed. To make it easy to remove all contaminants, there is a special lid at the bottom of the sump. In this case, the water supply to the house or apartment will be cut off. Self-cleaning filters have a special drainage outlet into the sewer system. It automatically removes accumulated dirt from the filter. The mesh cell size is from 50 to 500 microns. It is made of stainless steel and has a fairly long service life. The filter housing is made of brass or metal.
- Cartridge filters. This is a transparent flask for cold water or a metal one for hot water. A replaceable cartridge made of wound synthetic thread, polyester or pressed fiber is installed inside. The cell size ranges from 1 to 30 microns. For mechanical cleaning, a cartridge with a cell size of 5 microns and above is sufficient.
Whatever the filters, they have the same operating principle: water entering the filter and passing through a mesh or cartridge is cleaned of insoluble impurities.
Installation process
Since the pre-filter must protect all plumbing fixtures from solid impurities that enter the water supply, it is very important to know how to install it correctly. This is done when water enters the room after the shut-off valves
There is an arrow on the body of each filter model indicating the direction in which the filter should be installed. It should stand in the direction of water movement. This is important because an incorrectly installed filter will not work.
An oblique mesh filter is installed on a horizontal (if the water flows from top to bottom) or vertical pipeline in cramped conditions. The inclined arrangement of the sump does not require much space.
Since all connections are threaded, for installation it is enough to wrap FUM tape or flax on the thread and screw the filter to the valve, and then screw the water meter onto it.
Before carrying out work, turn off the water.
A straight mesh filter is mounted on a straight pipeline if there is free space around it. This is due to the size of the mud trap. It is slightly larger than the slant filter and requires space underneath to allow the sump lid to be unscrewed and the filter cleaned. Its installation is carried out exactly the same as in the first case.
After completing the work and starting the water, you should check the joints for water leaks. All leaking joints must be tightened.
How to install a cartridge filter correctly? It is installed only horizontally and after the mesh filter:
- Cut out a piece of pipe. Its dimensions depend on the distance between the inlet and outlet openings of the filter and other parts (cap nuts, adapters, etc.). Their set is individual in each case.
- Threads are cut on metal pipes, and a corresponding fitting is soldered to polypropylene pipes.
- Connecting parts are screwed onto both ends of the pipe using sealing materials (FUM tape or flax).
- Assemble the filter structure.
- The filter cover is attached to the wall. Mounting holes are provided for this.
- Connect the pipes and turn on the water. Check joints for leaks.
All work on the installation of coarse filters is carried out using adjustable and gas wrenches. If you need to cut a pipe, use a grinder or plastic scissors.
Many manufacturers of household equipment connected to the city water supply network do not provide a warranty on their products if a filter is not installed at the entrance of the water supply to the house/apartment. Recently, mechanical purification began to be done using additional mesh and cartridge filters in pairs. The disadvantage is the need to change cartridges quite often and the impossibility of reusing them, while mesh filters only need to be washed once a quarter.
Conclusion
Both for food and for household purposes, you need to consume liquid that does not contain impurities hazardous to health. If its quality is not high enough, bacteria, harmful metals, microbes, calcium salts and other undesirable compounds should be removed from it. Today it is quite possible to do this with the help of modern equipment, and our specialists will help you choose it - contact us, we will recommend the most effective filter for cleaning limestone liquid from a well or a well, we will sell it to you at a favorable price, we will provide delivery, installation, configuration, commissioning .
Purpose and principle of operation
Since the state of utility networks is often deplorable, the water entering the apartment contains rust and other impurities
, which have a detrimental effect on the condition of the plumbing. The filter allows you to avoid rapid wear of the seals of plumbing products, which are seriously damaged due to dirt in the water.
It is known that rusty water can lead to breakdowns of metering devices, which will entail quite significant expenses. Therefore, it makes sense to install such a unit in your home.
especially dangerous for water heaters, dishwashers and washing machines.
. And ordinary taps quickly become clogged with debris, which leads to their breakdown. There is only one way out - installing a filter.
The principle of its operation is simple - water passes through a mesh or other filter structure
, retaining the solid elements contained in it.
Basic provisions for installing dirt filters
The most common devices for rough water purification, due to their versatility, low cost and ease of installation, are oblique mesh filters. The reservoir in the slope is equipped with a cylindrical mesh and a plug. The water flow passing through the filter element is cleaned of mechanical impurities larger than 10-15 microns.
In many cases, such a device helps to preserve the mechanisms of not only the CPU, but also many other household appliances that use water in their operation. Finer filters that capture small dirt particles can be installed at the inlet of appliances or on faucets. When installing a filter, follow several rules:
- the filter device is installed immediately after the shut-off valve, at the entrance of the water supply to the apartment;
- the direction of water in the pipeline must coincide with the arrow marked on the valve body;
- on vertical sections, the filter is installed with the water flow directed from top to bottom;
- The dirt collector is always positioned with the plug down, under which it is necessary to provide free space for removing the mesh.
The fittings are selected according to the parameters of the apartment water supply, according to the nominal diameter of the pipes and the operating pressure; these data are always indicated on its body. The connections of the pipes and the filter device are reinforced with FUM tape or flax tow. By briefly turning on the water, the reliability of installation is checked; if there are no leaks, the filter can be used without fear.
Depending on the degree of water contamination, filter cleaning activities can be either rare or quite frequent. It is recommended to check the filling of the filter dirt compartment regularly, at least once a year, without waiting for a decrease in water pressure. Exposing a threaded connection to an aggressive environment for a long time causes the cover to stick and becomes difficult to remove.
Our company carries out a range of services for servicing apartment metering devices, which includes cleaning the coarse water filter. In front of the meter, there is not only a filter, but also a shut-off valve, the failure of which, if handled carelessly, can lead to an accident.
Sequence of work:
- turn off the water;
- Using a wrench, carefully, without jerking, remove the cover from the slope;
- remove the mesh and clean it with a stiff, short-haired brush;
- if the grid is defective, update it;
- clean the tank chamber with improvised means;
- install the mesh in place;
- tighten the lid, replacing the seal on the thread;
- turn on the water and check the reliability of the connections.
If the filter was included in the sealing chain, the housing office must be notified about the removal of the seal so that they can restore the seal at the end of the event.
Residents of apartment buildings often find that the water entering their apartment contains impurities. This is explained by the state of city networks, which are significantly worn out.
Water purified at the station, passing through the pipes, becomes contaminated with particles of limescale and rust. To protect yourself from such debris, you need to install a coarse water filter.
This product consists of a body and a metal mesh. The body can be polypropylene or metal. It is the mesh that traps impurities, purifying the water from the particles it contains. Its cells are quite small - their size varies from 20 to 500 microns
.
Coarse water filters for apartments come in several varieties:
- reticulate;
- with cartridge;
- high-speed pressure
The mesh device is equipped with a mesh having small cells
. Such devices come in non-flushing and self-flushing types.
Non-flushing devices
should be disassembled and cleaned regularly. To do this, turn off the water in the apartment, disassemble the filter, clean it and then reassemble it.
Self-flushing devices
such a procedure is not required. They have an automatic cleaning feature. They are equipped with a drainage pipe that receives water with the debris in it after self-cleaning.
Cartridge-type devices have a cartridge capable of holding dirt particles as small as 0.5 microns
. In addition, it prevents substances with a fibrous structure from entering the apartment. If the filter has a transparent bulb, then it is intended for filtering cold water, and if its body is made of stainless steel, then the device is mounted on a hot line.
The pressure-type device has a container made of corrosion-resistant metal
. There is filter material inside it. It is able to purify water with impurities of different structures. At the top of the device there is an automatic unit that has a regulation function.
Advantages and disadvantages
Such a unit has its pros and cons. If we talk about the advantages, it is worth mentioning the following:
- simple design;
- ease of maintenance: this does not require special skills or special equipment;
- the possibility of cleansing and full restoration of functionality;
- low price for components;
- low cost of the device itself;
- environmental friendliness: there are no cartridges made of synthetic materials that need regular replacement.
This filter also has disadvantages:
- the ability to retain only fairly large particles of dirt, in contrast to a unit designed for fine cleaning;
- purification only from mechanical impurities, and biological and chemical substances remain in the water.
Consequently, those who want to receive perfectly purified water for drinking and cooking will need to additionally use a household filter that removes other unwanted impurities from the liquid.
When choosing a rough cleaning device for an apartment, you need to pay attention to the following:
- On sale you can find strainers that have a pressure control valve and a pressure gauge
. They allow you to protect household appliances from changes in water pressure, as well as monitor pressure indicators in the pipeline. - Mesh devices are the most common
because they are inexpensive and can be used for a long time without replacing the filtration elements. We can say that this is the most budget option. - For small diameter pipes it is better to choose threaded type filters
. They are screwed directly onto the pipe or connected to it with union nuts - “American”. - Based on the location of the sump, devices are divided into oblique and straight
. For direct units, it is perpendicular to the water flow and looks down. For oblique filters, the settling tank is located at an angle to the direction of the water flow. Such products should be purchased when the pipe is located very close to the floor, in a word, where there is little free space.
What is limescale pollution?
These are compounds that are formed as a result of the contact of calcium oxide with H2O. In fact, they are alkalis, the chemical formula is Ca(OH)2. They can be isolated in their pure form technologically (and even achieved the required degree of grinding), and then used in everyday life, for example, covering trees with them to protect against insects and prevent rotting.
Another area in which substances are in demand is industry: a variety of mixtures are made based on them. They also act as fertilizer for arable land.
Types of filters and cleaning features
Rough cleaning involves removing exclusively mechanical impurities. And if the manufacturer does not provide additional functions, the filter only purifies water from rust, silt and sand. To filter out this kind of contamination, a metal mesh with a small mesh size (on average from 20 to 500 microns) is used.
The following types of filters are distinguished:
- with backwash, operating in automatic mode;
- without rinsing, requiring regular manual cleaning (models are made of transparent plastic, through which the degree of contamination is clearly visible);
- with a pressure control valve - the devices are able to prevent water hammer and protect household appliances from pressure changes;
- equipped with cartridges, that is, requiring regular replacement of working elements (filter impurities ranging in size from 0.5 to 30 microns);
- pressure type, designed to operate in high flows and equipped with an automatic control unit for timely regeneration of filter elements (remove contaminants from 30 microns in size).
Some models can be equipped with two pressure gauges, making it easier to control the clogging of filter elements. If the pressure at the outlet of the device has dropped, it is time to replace it or clean it manually.
Rough cleaning cannot remove the smallest impurities, ranging in size from 5 microns.
It only removes large mechanical particles (rust, sand). To get rid of any contaminants, including the most dangerous ones - chemical ones, you will need the additional installation of fine filters (reverse osmosis systems, ion exchange and sorption filters).
Filtration stages in the water treatment process
The first, most important step in water treatment is mechanical purification. Coarse cleaning devices remove particles of 1 micron and above from water. They perform an irreplaceable function in the filtration process, without which further water purification is impossible.
Rust, sand, clay particles, scale from old water pipes - everything is removed to obtain clear water at the output.
- Throughout the autonomous water supply system, it is equipped with a set of filters that perform various water purification tasks
- The very first in the circuit is a mesh filter, which retains mineral and organic particles mechanically.
- A similar mesh filter, which performs rough water purification, is placed at the inlet of the surface pump: either at the edge of the suction pipe or in front of the unit pipe
- If the pump is supposed to pump water directly to the consumer, for example, to a swimming pool, then a mesh filter is installed on the pipe, and in front of the pump is a sorption filter
- To protect the equipment included in the water supply scheme, so-called mud filters are used - coarse filters. They are placed mainly inside the house, but it’s great if they are located in outdoor areas
- Water is prepared for drinking use using cartridge filters that absorb contaminants and fine purification systems.
- Filtering devices with cartridges located inside carry out iron removal, retention of heavy metal salts and softening
- Fine water purification is carried out by systems that include a series of superfine filters, as well as reverse osmosis systems that remove bacteria and harmful microorganisms.
Only after the first stage of pre-filtration can you begin to remove organic impurities, heavy metal compounds, chemical elements and microorganisms. For this purpose, ultrafine filtration devices are used.
It is possible to determine more specifically the need for cleaning from certain contaminants only on the basis of analysis results.
To choose the right filter, you need to clearly define why its installation is needed:
- for filtering hot and/or cold water;
- what kind of contaminants need to be cleaned from;
- what capacity and loading volume should the filter have;
- for what purposes - to protect plumbing and equipment or for drinking water and cooking.
It is also necessary to take into account where the device will be used - in a private house, apartment, boiler room or industrial enterprise.
When purchasing a filter, you can check the data with the table and make sure whether the declared level of purification corresponds to the capabilities of the product. For example, often the parameters of a fine cleaning device indicate the ability to filter from impurities as small as 100 microns, which in reality refers to coarse cleaning
More details about each type
Adsorption ones are filled only with activated carbon. But the quality of cleaning decreases with further use of such equipment. Adsorption cartridges have a short service life. If you do not replace it on time, dirt penetrates into the water.
Replacement, which takes 2-3 hours, is the main advantage of this variety. Such cleaning systems can be easily transferred from one place to another. And they maintain an affordable price level. The design of the filter determines how long the product will last.
- Under the sink it works at 7.5 thousand liters.
- The jugs process 750 liters.
- Faucet attachments work without problems up to 1 thousand liters.
Ion exchange filters are designed in such a way that they replace one substance with another - with a dangerous composition with a less dangerous one. But the period of effective use of such devices is very short. But after purification, the water tastes good. But heart patients and hypertensive patients are not recommended to drink water that has passed through ion-exchange filters.
Filtration is carried out at a speed of 5 liters per minute. In a few minutes, the removal of chemical compounds that contain magnesium and calcium is organized. A mandatory requirement is the installation of a sorption, reverse osmosis housing in front of the filter.
Membrane varieties are a molecular sieve of cells enclosed in a membrane. Productivity increases if the diameter of the pores and membranes match each other. The membrane absorbs the entire volume of liquid. A purification rate of up to 90 percent and a long service life are the advantages of systems of this type. But organics and insoluble substances do not pass through them. Membrane cartridges are capable of processing 15 thousand liters of water.
The frequency of repair and replacement work depends on how intensively the water supply system is used at a given facility. And it depends on how many harmful impurities enter the liquid flow. It is acceptable to focus on indicators of pressure weakening from the tap, pressure gauge readings before and after filters.
Installing coarse water filters is not such a complicated procedure. The only difficult thing is to choose high-quality equipment that can last up to several decades. It is better to consult with Alfatep store employees, then it will be easier to take into account all the properties characteristic of the equipment. This determines the safety of expensive household appliances that are already working at the site.
Industrially produced filters differ in design and purpose. The price of these products is also different - it largely depends on the popularity of the brand offering its products on the market
.
Filter element service life
The service life of the filter element is affected by:
- Product quality;
- No violations during installation work;
- Water quality;
- Frequency of cleaning.
If you purchased a defective filter element, which was then installed incorrectly, then you can’t count on any high liquid cleaning performance.
The dirtier the liquid circulating through the water pipes, the more often you will need to remove the sump and remove debris. In general, the service life is tens of years.
We change filters and clean them. We repair the system
Wear of the cleaning element and accumulation of dirt are natural processes for equipment that is actively used. Prevention is necessary, otherwise the service life of the equipment will not increase. Depending on the type of cleaning element and connection diagram, cleaning is carried out in several ways.
Cleaning is not necessary if the cartridge type of installation is used. After a certain time, the cartridge is simply replaced with a new one. The mesh models are cleaned in several steps if there is no flushing circuit. First, the water supply to the filter is cut off. The sump cover is opened using wrenches. The mesh is removed and the dirt is poured into a bucket. Next, the mesh is carefully blown and washed with water. If there is damage, the part is replaced with a new one. When the washing is completed, assembly is carried out in the reverse sequence of actions.
The main thing is to pay attention to paranitic and rubber gaskets. The filter can also be cleaned using washing systems. Shut off the water supply to the home, before and after the filter
The reverse flow opens. Next, the filter or plug is opened. The mesh is washed with strong water pressure. The work takes 5 minutes maximum.
How to choose
When choosing a cleaning device, you should proceed from the purpose of each specific device. The coarse filter for individual use has smaller volumes and is easier to install and clean. Devices for apartment buildings and industrial purposes are chosen by specialists.
When purchasing, you should check the device for visible damage and cracks - exclude manufacturing and shipping defects.
Design flaws are a relative concept. He who is forewarned is forearmed. Therefore, in each specific case, before purchasing, you should read the instructions for using the model and inquire with the seller.
Inconveniences, unfortunately, are revealed only during operation, but this does not affect the quality of the filter; it only complicates maintenance and operation.
Before purchasing, you must make sure that the model's configuration fully complies with the stated list in the instruction manual. A warranty is required. When installing the filter yourself, you cannot use incomplete parts and tools if special fittings and keys are included in the purchase.
